Wolves and Waters

Chapter Two: Realizations

Rin managed to drift asleep on the chair. It wasn't too hard, considering how it was double his own size and it was heated due to the crackling fire before him. He still was very weary-

All he really knew about the man was that he was abnormally large and abnormally kind. It was a forgien adjective and action to him--kindness. LT's kind words implanted his brain throughout his sleep drift, his dreams muggled as the events repeated in his conscious.

  But the sequences were rudely abrupted by yet another crash and a familar drawl coming from the kicthen.

"B-breakfast's ready!"

Rin flew from the chair in a jump onto the floor, his heart racing from the sudden yell and his body slaming on the floorboards with a THUMP.

  Rin's head was throbbing more than ever before as it collided with the harsh ground, a soft groan escaping his throat as he heard heavy footsteps come to him.

  "D-did I startle you! I didn't mean t-to at all, I-I'm so sorry, a-"

"I'm fine." Rin fumbled softly underneath LT's nervous rambles, still trying to wrap around why he was doing this. Why take in a half-breed boy when you could easily sell his tail to a merch in the village for an easy twenty Goldies? Or just leave him to die in the forest so you don't get hung for holding a vermin in your home? He was risking his own well being and life just to save a worthless hunk of meat who was going to die anyway! He was a fool! A fool Rin sai-

"A-also, breakfast is ready when you a-are, ok?"

He took back all his mind said about LT.

He stoof up and brushed his pants off, quickly rushing by him to the large kicthen that laid right next to the entrance. The flooring was the same except a little more stained and crooked, and the table only hosted two chairs that were side by side and a small stool that was next to the largest one. A small fire brewed underneath a large kettle and ladle, a collection of varieties of cookware made out of wood or metal hanging over it. The table was set up with small glasses that were completly rounded and had a light golden liquid floating at the brim. Two small wooden bowls with a thick oatmeal steaming in them, it's fill to the brim and the smell of honey oversensed his nostrils.

  Rin went over to the table and crawled ontop of the chair, looking down to see his feet barely touching the ground and his body barely being able to reach the table properly- he adjusted himself and grasped onto the surface of the chair to relax his anxiety.

Did the same rules apply here? Were they universal or was it just where he was? Was he allowed to finish his meal without being scolded or speak or do anything during this time? He wasn't sure and he didn't want to find out either.

His stomach gave a low rumble as LT sat next to him, the short boy then finally picking up the bowl to just hold and wolfing down the hot food faster then he could even breathe. Savouring food was forgotten long ago--but all Rin could gather was a thick texture and a very blandly sweet taste that stuck to the roof of his mouth.

  In no less then five minutes the food bowl was licked cleaner then it was prior, the contents a memory of the past. Truth be told Rin was still hungry. But he wasn't starving and it's better to have something than nothing.

  "I've n-never seen anyone eat anything that qu-quick!" LT gave a soft chuckle and looked down at the oatmeal covered teen. "Do you want more?"

  Rin shot his head up and gave a confused look at LT. More? There wasn't anything forbidding this? Didn't he have to stay skinny so it was easier for them to use him in ways he didn't want to think about and didn't everyone else need their fill? Was it different here?

Rin nodded viscously in return as LT stood up and gently took the bowl away as Rin sucked on the spoon. Rin then reached over to the glass, only to pull away and toss it over, the rim breaking off with a violent crack and the liquid spewing.

Rin stood up and stood still at that--he was scared now. He was using resources and now breaking them and he was going to get hurt behond beleif. He didn't want to go back out there, he wanted to stay, he couldn't face the people again. His eyes meandered towards LT who placed the new fill in front of Rin's chair on the table and eyed the now poured golden liquid.

"Oh, d-dear! You spilled your tea, sit back d-down, no worries! I-I'll just pour you another cup."

Rin's heart was uncoiled from the tension and anxiety and then replaced with confusion.

"But I broke it, aren't you gonna beat me?"

The words felt so wrong off his tongue but everything seemed to fit so right in his head. It wasn't the vibe LT gave but rather the vibe the world gave.

  "Beat you? D-darling, you're too cute to be beat! And over somethen like this? Don't worry about it, okay sugar? As my Ma said, the goose doesn't gortle over a pecked seed."

Whatever the hell that means

  Rin carefully slid back into position, adjusting himself and grabbing the bowl again, fingers gripping tightly and spoon about to dig in, but before he slurped up another bowl he looked back at the man who was wiping the countertop and gave a soft smile.

"Thank you."

LT looked down at Rin who's head now hung low. "Whatya say?"

"T-thank you. For all of this, really."

LT then put down the rag and went over to Rin, wrapping his arms around his head gently for an attempt of a hug.

"A-anytime darlen."